Shillelagh

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ʃəˈleɪˌli/

Alternative forms

• shillelah, shillalah, shillala
• shillaly, shillely
• shillalagh

Origin

Either from Shillelagh, County Wicklow, in Ireland (from Irish Síol ("descendants") Éalaigh), because the forest near it provided the wood from which such clubs were made, or from sail ("cudgel") + éille ("thong").

Full definition of shillelagh

Noun

1. A wooden (especially oaken) club ending with a large knob.
2. Any cudgel.